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Jonathan Chin – Co-founder of GothamBox – In His Own Words

April 27, 2012 By Debra Pearlstein 16 Comments

Jonathan

 

The GothamBox story is the combination of two fond memories.

East to West

Shawn, a Midwest boy, spent close to 5 years in the majestic and exhilarating city of New York.  It was not the big lights and electrifying scene that intrigued him most.  It was the unique local brands that were the extraordinary fabric to the city.  Shawn grew so attached to the intimate coffee shops, the decadently rich chocolate, as well as enticing sweets that he never knew existed prior to coming to NYC.       
He started a new life on the West Coast and was so heartbroken when he found that it was impossible for him to stay connected to the local brands that he had grown so fond of while living in NYC.
He vowed to find a solution to this major problem.

West to East

In almost a symmetrical move, I left my hometown of San Francisco to start college on the East Coast.  My mother sent me care packages every single month to say that she loved me.  Setting off to start a new life on the opposite coast was exciting but definitely nerve-wracking.  Receiving these boxes was exactly the dose of home I needed to stay strong.
I wasn’t the only one who loved these monthly treats.  The care packages became such a hit in my dorm that she started including special items for my friends.  For instance at Christmas time, every single one of my friends received a miniature red stocking packed with candy.  When Easter rolled around, my friends were rewarded with chocolate eggs.  My friend’s mother even copied the idea and started sending treats to him too.  I was sure to tax him heavily for copying by eating a significant portion of his box.  I couldn’t help myself – his mother sent him some of the most delicious Japanese candies and treats.              

Born out of a parking lot

Fast forward to Christmastime 2011.  The concept of GothamBox was born in a parking lot in Palo Alto, just outside of San Francisco.  Shawn and I started conceptualizing.  After the fifth “wouldn’t it be cool if” and “yeah!” we pull out a pen and paper and started drawing up mockups of what the site would look like on top of Shawn’s trunk.               
Shawn wanted to help people stay in touch with their hometown favorites.  I wanted to reproduce the fond experience of my mother sending me care packages.
GothamBox took the best of both of these passions.  We offer the most delicious taste of your favorite city delivered right to you, your family and your friends.  Every month, you’re reminded that home misses you or isn’t as far away as you think.  
-Jonathan

You can find my blog review of GothamBox here and, also, please return to enter the exciting Mother’s Day Event May 1st, to win a 2-month subscription of your own.

Filed Under: cities, food, foodies, gift box, GothamBox, Jonathan Chin

Comments

  1. Megan says

    April 27, 2012 at 9:22 am

    This is such a great idea!

    Reply
  2. Toni Patton says

    April 27, 2012 at 10:18 am

    That’s so neat how he got started.

    Reply
  3. April Decheine says

    April 27, 2012 at 10:56 am

    What a great review, he sounds like an amazing young man!

    Reply
  4. nicóle says

    April 27, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    This is quite possibly one of the coolest concepts I’ve heard in a long time.

    I wonder what a “Miami” box would have?

    Reply
  5. Marcie W. says

    April 27, 2012 at 7:19 pm

    I love this concept and want a Brooklyn box STAT!!

    Reply
  6. Amy says

    April 27, 2012 at 7:42 pm

    Very interesting!!

    Reply
  7. Courtney says

    April 27, 2012 at 9:12 pm

    Wow, very cool!

    Reply
  8. Kathleen says

    April 27, 2012 at 9:37 pm

    Wow! Such a unique idea and I love how they made it happen.

    Reply
  9. Tricia Nightowlmama says

    April 28, 2012 at 3:16 am

    wow who would of even thought of that but its so cool

    Reply
  10. Emily @FamilyNLifeLV says

    April 28, 2012 at 10:09 am

    What a cool idea!!

    Reply
  11. Simply Being Mommy says

    April 28, 2012 at 10:34 am

    Such an interesting concept.

    Reply
  12. Donna says

    April 28, 2012 at 11:07 am

    I love this idea!

    Reply
  13. Tammy says

    April 28, 2012 at 2:37 pm

    Great concept.

    Reply
  14. Anne - Mommy Has to Work says

    April 28, 2012 at 9:39 pm

    What a cool idea!

    Reply
  15. Apryl @ Christian Clippers says

    April 28, 2012 at 11:17 pm

    Love it!

    Reply
  16. Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says

    April 29, 2012 at 4:18 am

    I read you review the other day — love the “behind the scenes” aspect of this!

    Reply

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